Poker-type card game method

ABSTRACT

A poker-type card game that combines the benefits of limit, pot-limit and no-limit wagering into a single game. At least one round of wagering is of a pre-determined limit, pot-limit or no-limit, while at least one other round of wagering within the same game is another of a pre-determined limit, pot-limit or no-limit. The betting structure embodied in the poker-type card game of the present invention can implemented in Texas Hold&#39;em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, Five-Card Draw or some other poker-type card game.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to card games and methods therefor and, more particularly, to a variable wagering poker-type card game which combines the advantages of no-limit wager poker with limited wager poker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Poker, especially Texas Hold'em, is increasingly becoming one of the most popular forms of gambling. It is now common for both gamblers and non-gamblers to play poker at casinos, online and at home. Television shows, such as the world series of poker, showcase poker tournaments as what has become a popular form of entertainment.

The general aim of poker, regardless of which version is played, is to either collect a five card hand that is better than the five card hand of one or more opponents, or to try to bet in such a way as to cause opponents to believe that their hand is inferior and subsequently “fold” (concede or turn in) their hand. Typically, the game of poker involves multiple players competing against one another for one cumulative “pot” or sum of money. In regular poker play in casinos, the dealer or “house” draws a percentage, otherwise known as “the rake”, of each pot, thus generating revenue regardless of which player wins each hand. In tournament play, whether at a casino or online, each player often pays an entry fee and the rake is eliminated.

Two of the most popular poker games are Texas Hold'em and Omaha, although seven card stud and five card draw are also played quite frequently. In Texas Hold'em, each player receives an initial hand of two cards. Typically, there is a betting round followed by the dealing of three community cards face-up, known as “the flop.” After another betting round, a fourth community card, known as “the turn” is dealt face-up. After yet another round of betting, the final community card, known as “the river” is dealt face-up. After the river, there is a final round of betting, assuming two or more players remain in the game. In Texas Hold'em, a player may use any combination of the two initial cards dealt to each player and the five community cards to form the best five-card poker hand. In fact, in Texas Hold'em, it may be possible to use neither of the two cards dealt to the player, and form a best five-card hand solely from the five community cards.

In Omaha, each player receives four playing cards, rather than two as in Texas Hold'em. The community card distribution and betting structure remain the same. In Omaha, however, each player must use exactly two cards out of the four they initially receive in combination with exactly three of the five community cards to form their best five-card hand. Omaha therefore lacks the flexibility of Texas Hold'em when it comes to forming a best five-card poker hand. However, Omaha does provide for more numerous and therefore exciting opportunities to form a best five-card hand, as there are a total of nine playing cards to choose from, as opposed to the seven in Texas Hold'em.

Typically, Texas Hold'em and Omaha, as well as other poker variations, are played with pre-determined limits on the level of wagering. These limits are usually expressed in a minimum/maximum wager format, requiring each player to wager no less than the minimum wager previously determined and no more than the maximum wager previously determined. Even in poker tournaments where the pre-determined limits are raised over time, each player is made aware of the new limits prior to playing in an individual hand. There are two alternatives to standard limit poker: “pot-limit” and “no-limit.” In pot-limit poker, the maximum wager allowed is limited to the total quantity of all previous wagers (minus any rake deducted from the pot by the gaming establishment). Thus, the maximum wager allowed in pot-limit poker cannot be pre-determined, as the maximum wager amount is constantly changing depending on how much money was wagered by all previous players. In a typical pot-limit poker game, the longer the game progresses, the more wagers that are wagered, the larger the maximum allowable wager becomes. In no-limit poker, there is also no pre-determined maximum allowable wager. Instead, each player may wager as much money as they have in play at the table. Usually, this amount is identified by the total value of poker chips (which correspond to a monetary value) in front of a particular player. Thus, in no-limit poker, the maximum wager allowed is often different for each player, with the player having the most amount of chips capable of making the largest wager.

A player's strategy in poker is often greatly affected by whether the game is limit, pot-limit, or no-limit. In limit poker, for example, it is much easier to stay in the game longer to see more cards since there is a known limit to how much this will cost. In pot-limit, on the other hand, it is more difficult to adopt this strategy since it can be far more costly to stay in the game. Finally, in no-limit, it is possible at any moment, with no notice, for a player to be forced to commit all of his or her chips in order to remain in the game. For this reason, bluffing is much more effective in no-limit than in any other form of poker based on more limited wagering. Some poker players strongly prefer the relative cost certainty of limit poker, while other poker players prefer the brinksmanship of no-limit poker.

Therefore, limit poker, pot-limit poker and no-limit poker offer separate, but intriguing benefits to poker players, while each variation also has certain limitations that may make it less intriguing to different types of poker players.

A need therefore existed for providing a new, exciting variation of poker that combines the general benefits of limit poker and no-limit poker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for playing a poker-type card game which combines the features of limit-poker and/or pot-limit poker and/or no-limit poker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a poker-type card game is disclosed, comprising, in combination the steps of dealing at least two cards to at least one player, permitting a first round of wagering, dealing a first group of three community cards face-up, permitting a second round of wagering, dealing a fourth community card face-up, permitting a third round of wagering, wherein at least one of the first round of wagering and the second round of wagering and the third round of wagering being limited by one of a pre-determined limit and a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake, dealing a final community card face-up, permitting a final round of wagering, wherein the final round of wagering being limited by a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake when at least one of the first round of wagering and the second round of wagering and the third round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined limit, wherein the final round of wagering being limited by a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player when at least one of the first round of wagering and the second round of wagering and the third round of wagering being limited by at least one of a pre-determined limit and a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake, and determining a best five-card poker hand for each the at least one player when more than one player remains in the poker-type card game, wherein a best five-card hand having a higher poker value than a five-card poker hand of any other player remaining in the poker-type card game, the best five-card poker hand being generated from any combination of the at least two cards dealt to each the at least one player and the first group of three community cards and the fourth community card and the fifth community card.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a poker-type card game is disclosed, comprising, in combination the steps of dealing at least one of at least one card to at least one player and at least one community card so that a total number of cards dealt to each the at least one player and any community cards dealt total at least five cards, permitting a plurality of wagering rounds, limiting a wager amount of at least one of the plurality of wagering rounds to a pre-determined limit, limiting a wager amount of at least one other round of the plurality of wagering rounds by one of a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake and a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player, and determining a best five-card poker hand for each the at least one player when more than one player remains in the poker-type card game, wherein a best five-card hand having a higher poker value than a five-card poker hand of any other player remaining in the poker-type card game, the best five-card poker hand being generated from any combination of the at least one card dealt to each the at least one player and any community cards dealt.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises a method of playing a poker-type card game that combines the benefits of limit poker with the benefits of pot-limit and/or no-limit poker. The present invention establishes a betting structure that combines the features of limit and/or pot-limit and/or no-limit poker in a single game. In such a way, a poker player may be able to see several cards at a lower level of wagering before having to commit all or a much larger sum of his wagering funds.

The first step in the method is dealing at least two cards to each player playing the game. In the game of Omaha, four cards are dealt to each player, whereas in the game of Texas Hold'em two cards are dealt to each player. Other poker games, such as Seven Card Stud, Five Card Stud and other poker versions vary the number of cards dealt to each player. Nevertheless, it should be clearly understood that the method of playing a poker-type card game of the present invention can be implemented with any poker-type card game.

Preferably, as in Texas Hold'em and Omaha, a standard betting structure, such as the “big blind” and “small blind,” would be used to establish the minimum bet by which any player must call or raise to remain in the game. In Seven-Card Stud, a minimum wager must be placed by the player having the low-card face-up. A first round of wagering takes place where players must fold, call, or raise the big-blind or low-card bet. If more than one player remains in the game after the first round of betting, additional cards are dealt. In Texas Hold'em and Omaha, three community cards, or “the flop,” are dealt face-up preferably in the center of a poker table. A second round of wagering is then conducted. If more than one player remains in the game after this second round of betting, then in Texas Hold'em and Omaha, a fourth community card is dealt face-up. A third round of betting between the players is then conducted. If, after this round more than one player remains the game, then a final community card is dealt face-up. A fourth and final round of betting is conducted. If, after this final round of betting more than one player remains in the game, then a showdown occurs between two or more players in which each remaining player's hand is compared to another's whereby the hand having the highest poker value is a winning hand. Preferably, the hand having the highest poker value is awarded the pot (or a percentage thereof).

In the method of playing a poker-type card game of the present invention, at least one round of wagering must be of a pre-determined limit, pot-limit or no-limit, while at the same time at least one other round of wagering must be another of a pre-determined limit, pot-limit or no-limit. For example, if the first three rounds of wagering are of a pre-determined limit, such as limiting the maximum wager to $50, then the fourth and final wager could be pot-limit, or in another embodiment no-limit. Similarly, in another embodiment of the present invention, the first two rounds of wagering are of a pre-determined limit, with the third round of wagering being pot-limit and the final round of wagering being no-limit. Alternatively, the first round could be of a pre-determined limit, and all subsequent rounds could be pot-limit, no-limit or some combination thereof. In another embodiment, all rounds of wagering prior to the final round are pot-limit with the final round of wagering being no-limit. It should be clearly understood that it is within the spirit and scope of this invention that any round of wagering could be either of a pre-determined limit, pot-limit or no-limit so long as at least one other round of wagering within the same game is another of a pre-determined limit, pot-limit or no-limit.

While, in the preferred embodiment, the poker-type card game of the present invention is played at a casino or other gaming establishment, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the poker-type card game is played over the internet, at a video gaming console or in some other, alternative format. 

1. A method of playing a poker-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of: dealing at least two cards to at least one player; permitting a first round of wagering; dealing a first group of three community cards face-up; permitting a second round of wagering; dealing a fourth community card face-up; permitting a third round of wagering, wherein at least one of said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering and said third round of wagering being limited by one of a pre-determined limit and a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake; dealing a final community card face-up; permitting a final round of wagering, wherein said final round of wagering being limited by a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake when at least one of said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering and said third round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined limit, wherein said final round of wagering being limited by a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player when at least one of said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering and said third round of wagering being limited by at least one of a pre-determined limit and a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake; and determining a best five-card poker hand for each said at least one player when more than one player remains in said poker-type card game, wherein a best five-card hand having a higher poker value than a five-card poker hand of any other player remaining in said poker-type card game, said best five-card poker hand being generated from any combination of said at least two cards dealt to each said at least one player and said first group of three community cards and said fourth community card and said fifth community card.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the poker-type card game being Texas Hold'em.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the poker-type card game being Omaha.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player a percentage of all wagers collected from each said at least one player when said at least one player being at least one of a last remaining player and a player having a best five-card poker hand.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said third round of wagering being limited to a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake and said final round of wagering limited by a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined amount.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said first round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined amount and said second round of wagering being limited to a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering being limited to a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said third round of wagering being limited to a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake and said final round of wagering limited by a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined amount.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said first round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined amount and said second round of wagering limited by a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said third round of wagering being limited to a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player and said final round of wagering limited by a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering being limited by a pre-determined amount.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said first round of wagering and said second round of wagering being limited by a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said first round of wagering limited by a pre-determined amount and said second round of wagering being limited by a current total value of all previous wagers minus an amount removed as a rake.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein said first round of wagering limited by a predetermined amount and said second round of wagering limited by a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player.
 17. A method of playing a poker-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of: dealing at least one of at least one card to at least one player and at least one community card so that a total number of cards dealt to each said at least one player and any community cards dealt total at least five cards; permitting a plurality of wagering rounds; limiting a wager amount of at least one of said plurality of wagering rounds to a pre-determined limit; limiting a wager amount of at least one other round of said plurality of wagering rounds by one of a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake and a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player; and determining a best five-card poker hand for each said at least one player when more than one player remains in said poker-type card game, wherein a best five-card hand having a higher poker value than a five-card poker hand of any other player remaining in said poker-type card game, said best five-card poker hand being generated from any combination of said at least one card dealt to each said at least one player and any community cards dealt.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the poker-type card game being seven-card stud.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the poker-type card game being five-card stud.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein said at least one wagering round subject to a pre-determined limit being conducted prior to said at least one wagering round limited by one of a current total value of all previous wagers minus any amount removed as a rake and a current total value of chips belonging to a wagering player. 